Abstract: In a turbine driven rotary irrigation sprinkler having a fixed stator with means for bypassing a portion of the water entering the sprinkler around the turbine so as to be able to adjust and control the rate of sprinkler rotation, the improvement of a rotatable stator cooperating with the fixed stator to provide infinite adjustability between the no bypass flow and full bypass flow conditions.

Abstract: In a turbine driven rotary irrigation sprinkler having a fixed stator with means for bypassing a portion of the water entering the sprinkler around the turbine so as to be able to adjust and control the rate of sprinkler rotation, the improvement of a rotatable stator cooperating with the fixed stator to provide infinite adjustability between the no bypass flow and full bypass flow conditions.

Abstract: An improved inlet control valve is provided for controlling water inflow to an irrigation sprinkler, wherein the inlet control valve exhibits improved tolerance to passage of small grit and debris. The inlet control valve includes a valve member normally engaging a valve seat to prevent water inflow to the irrigation sprinkler, and adapted for movement to a modulated open position to permit water inflow to the sprinkler at a regulated pressure. The valve member carries a flow restrictor disposed upstream from the valve seat to produce, when the valve member is in the open position, a first pressure drop which cooperates with a second pressure drop between the valve seat and valve member to regulate the water inflow pressure. The inclusion of the upstream flow restrictor and the associated first pressure drop effectively reduces the magnitude of the second pressure drop across the valve seat and thereby permits the valve member to open with an increased clearance relative to the valve seat.

Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler of the type having an inlet control valve is provided with a removable valve seat formed integrally with an inlet filter screen. The valve seat is positioned to engage a valve head to normally prevent water inflow to a sprinkler case, whereas the filter screen prevents entry of small rocks and other particulate debris into the sprinkler case when the inlet control valve is open. The valve seat is removable from the top of the sprinkler case, without requiring disconnection of the case from a water supply line, to permit flushing of collected debris or to permit replacement of a damaged valve seat.

Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler nozzle for enhancing the distribution of close-in watering comprising a nozzle housing housing an inlet opening and an outlet opening with a tortious pathway therebetween for inducing turbulence into the water stream to produce a low pressure, small droplet size water spray.

Abstract: A pop-up irrigation sprinkler including a sprinkler case having an open upper end through which a sprinkler nozzle coupled to a sprinkler mechanism can be extended, the sprinkler mechanism being retained within the case by a retaining ring mounted in a groove in the case, and a retaining cover and sealing assembly for sealing the open end of the case around the nozzle and for preventing the split ring from being inadvertently unseated from the groove.

Abstract: A pop-up guard or shield for use with a pop-up sprinkler mounted in a casing buried in the ground to protect against the entry of dirt, sand, weeds, and the like into the casing during sprinkler operation. The guard includes a spring biased sleeve which pops up together with the sprinkler during sprinkler extension to the operative position, and is retracted into the casing during movement of the sprinkler to the inoperative position.

Abstract: A reaction drive sprinkler includes an improved drive assembly for rotating the sprinkler in steps about a water supply standpipe. The drive assembly comprises a fixed drive nozzle through which an inclined stream of irrigation water is projected for passage through a movable diverter tube mounted in front of the drive nozzle. The diverter tube is shifted by a reversing mechanism for slightly diverting the water stream for alternated interruption by a pair of laterally oppositely angled deflector spoons on a pivoting reaction drive arm. More particularly, the diverter tube directs the water stream for cyclic interruption by one of the deflector spoons to rotate the sprinkler stepwise in one direction through a selected arcuate path and then shifts the diverter tube to direct the water stream for interruption by the other deflector spoon for stepwise sprinkler rotation in the opposite direction.